Master Fred Torres of Torres Tae Kwon Do, right, shows a group of youths how to jab and reverse during a health fair at Shenendehowa High in Clifton Park, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Master Fred Torres of Torres Tae Kwon Do, right, shows a group of youths how to jab and reverse during a health fair at Shenendehowa High in Clifton Park, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Photo: CINDY SCHULTZ

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A massage therapist, gives a hand and arm massage at the Womens Health Fair at the Wesley Health Center in Saratoga Springs (Times Union archive)

A massage therapist, gives a hand and arm massage at the Womens Health Fair at the Wesley Health Center in Saratoga Springs (Times Union archive)

Photo: STEVE JACOBS

Why attend a health fair?

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When you think of health fairs and expos, do rows of tables covered in boring medical pamphlets and people getting their blood pressure taken come to mind?

I know. I used to think the same thing until I attended a Women's Health Fair in Kingston. It was an entire day filled with interesting information, classes, free samples and healthy food. I didn't want to leave, even after having been there almost eight hours.

We are lucky in that on any given weekend, the Capital Region plays host to a health fair, expo or other informational seminar — most of which are free. Here are five reasons why I think you should be sure to give a health fair or expo a try.

1. Informational: Yes, there will be rows of tables with vendors, but that doesn't mean boring. Each vendor provides an opportunity to learn something new and sometimes it is something that you might never have been exposed to or something you wanted to know but where afraid to ask. Oftentimes, the booth will present items for you to take home or sample. I received a free Reiki session, an incredible 2-minute back massage and organic hand lotion rubbed on my hands.

2. Share:It's a great way to meet new people and medical professionals both in traditional and non-traditional medicine. What I especially liked was that they didn't know me or my history so I was able to get a fresh perspective on some issues my daughter was having and was able to present them to her current doctors, which opened new avenues to try. Also, I was able to make contacts who can lend an ear or give helpful advice when needed.

3. Have fun: You don't have to attend with a group, but it makes for a much more fun day when you bring friends, loved ones or even co-workers with you. I brought my mother and met up with a few of my close fitness friends. At times we would all split up to go experience the different things we each enjoy and then we met back up for lunch.

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We split again to attend some of the fun classes like Zumba, Pilates or kickboxing. I was also able to meet one of my favorite celebrity fitness trainers, Jessica Smith, and "The Biggest Loser" season 5 at-home winner Bernie Salazar. Oftentimes, the larger health fairs and expos will have a celebrity quest emcee or other famous faces.

4. Learn:In about a span of a few hours, I had learned about Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art combining elements of dance, acrobatics and music, as well as how to meditate at home for stress relief. I learned Tae Kwon Do moves to use in self-defense on the street, about the benefits of an ion bath and how to create healthy meals in minutes. I also attended a group discussion on PH balance and purified water and a discussion of the book "Beautiful Brain, Beautiful You: Look Radiant from the Inside Out by Empowering Your Mind," by Dr. Marie Pasinski.

I ended my day in the Blue Shield-sponsored room, having my blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol and glucose levels checked for free. If only I could have been in two places at once. My brain was definitely on a health and fitness high.

5. Freebies: Most of the health fairs I've attended are free or ask for a small donation. The best part is that once inside most of the booths or presenters have something to offer up in free swag, or if it is a large enough fair, they will give away goodie bags filled to the brim with health and fitness-related items or materials you can really use.

I received two large cloth bags, a gift in itself, at the women's health fair that were filled with bandages, stainless steel water bottles, vitamin packs, pencils and crayons for the kids, organic lotions, facial creams, essential oils, stickers and a T-shirt.

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Also, as an extra incentive to get people to preregister or just to attend the event, the fair sometimes will have a giveaway of some sort. I had opportunities to win a spa package, a weekend getaway and a wine-tasting. Unfortunately, I did not win any of the giveaways, but I was so excited about the amazingly relaxing and stress-relieving day, I felt I had already won.